iWorld
Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India
NEW DELHI: Amazon and C International Sales, a subsidiary of Cinestaan Film Company, announced a long-term alliance that will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive home for two of Toronto International Film Festival’s official selection of Indian films titled Dev Bhoomi (selected for TIFF 2016, Hof International Film Festival), and A Death in the Gunj (Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, selected for TIFF 2016 and Busan International Film Festival).
In addition, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream The Hungry, an international co-production between Cinestaan Film Company and Film London.
Cinestaan chairman Rohit Khattar said, “In our quest to champion Independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option and we are delighted that they have seen such merit in three of the titles that C International Sales represented and we are thrilled that within 6 months, our superb team has made C International the ‘go to’ sales agency for Indian filmmakers”
“At Amazon Prime Video India, our goal is to partner with the top content creators in India and worldwide to build the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows for our customers,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection of features from India’s evolving independent filmmakers. This realistic style of film-making from an exciting breed of filmmakers, creates room for experimentation in content as well as form. Death in The Gunj, The Hungry and Dev Bhoomi are the first titles in our Indian offering in this exciting new genre – independent cinema.”
Devi Bhoomi is directed by international award winning director Goran Paskaljevic and narrates the story of Rahul who returns to his old Himalayan village carrying a heavy secret. His arrival is not welcomed by the locals and again he must face the isolated world of old prejudices in which women have no right to choose their own destiny.
Directorial debut feature, written and directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, Death in the Gunj is set in 1979 starts as an uneventful family holiday which takes a dangerous twist when the guests play with the spirits.
Revenge thriller The Hungry is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus brings together film-making talent from Cinestaan Film Company and Film London. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Suraj Sharma and Sayani Gupta.
Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
